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Public Water System Security and Emergency Preparedness
The security of our water systems and emergency preparedness has become an increasing priority since the events of 9/11. A quick and effective response to emergency events is critical for protection of public health and the environment. Tools and resources are provided below to help water systems prepare for, respond to, and recover from such events.
Report an emergency:
District office and 24-hour emergency hotline numbers
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Upcoming Training Opportunities
There are no training opportunities at this time. Please check back later.
Partnerships and Collaboration
Ohio WARN (Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network)
Ohio WARN (www.ohwarn.org) is a statewide Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (WARN) of “utilities helping utilities” to prepare for the next natural or human-caused emergency, organize response according to established requirements, and share personnel and other resources statewide, by agreement.
Mutual Aid Assistance
Mutual aid assistant networks provide a method whereby water/wastewater utilities that have sustained damages from natural or manmade events could obtain emergency assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, materials and other associated services from other water/wastewater utilities. Formalize an existing agreement or forge a new one with guidance from the following documents:
Coordination with Local Law Enforcement
Partners in Protection is a brochure encouranging coordation between PWSs and Local Law Enforcement To protect the public’s drinking water supply, law enforcement officials and local drinking water systems must work together to develop protocols for patrolling water systems and reporting and investigating any security breaches.
Coordination with County EMAs
PWSs are encouraged to contact their county EMA to plan for emergencies involving both parties. More information can be found in this presentation to county EMAs.
Planning and Exercise Resources
Emergency Preparedness Guides
Water Contaminant Information Tool (WCIT)
Water Contaminant Information Tool (WCIT) is a secure online database available from U.S. EPA that contains information on contaminants that could pose a significant threat to public health if accidentally or intentionally introduced into drinking water or wastewater. Click here for the fact sheet. [PDF]
Water Security Handbook
Planning for & Responding to Drinking Water Contamination Threats & Incidents is a handbook prepared by U.S. EPA for water utilities as an overview of it’s comprehensive Response Protocol Toolbox, from the perspective of a water system manager. The Handbook describes how to recognize intentional water contamination threats and incidents, what actions a utility should take in the event of a threat or incident, possible roles of the water utility within the larger Incident Command framework, and how the National Incident Management System (NIMS) is organized. This handbook will prove useful when a utility is updating its emergency response plan.
Water Security Booklet
U.S. EPA's booklet, Active and Effective Water Security Programs, takes the 14 features developed by the National Drinking Water Advisory Council's Water Security Working Group (WSWG) and organizes them for security program planning. This 20 page booklet can be ordered for free from EPA's Office of Water Resource Center by telephone: (202) 566-1729. Request document # 817-K-06-001.
Emergency Response Tabletop Exercises
U.S. EPA’s Emergency Response Tabletop Exercises for Water and Wastewater Systems is an online tool to help train water and wastewater utility workers in preparing and carrying-out emergency response plans. The exercises provided can help strengthen relationships between a water supplier and their emergency response team (e.g., health officials, laboratories, fire, police, emergency medical services, and local, state, and federal officials). Users can also adapt the materials for their own needs. The exercises also allow water suppliers to test their Emergency Response Plans before an actual incident occurs. A CD-ROM version is also available by mail free of charge.
Security Information Collaboratives: A Guide for Water Utilities
Security Information Collaboratives: A Guide for Water Utilities informs drinking water and wastewater utilities, and others, about the benefits of establishing collaborative arrangements with other organizations to share information on water security. The guide provides step-by-step suggestions for establishing a collaborative and includes three case studies to show how utilities can successfully coordinate with various key water security partners to enhance security and public health protection.
Drinking Water Security for Small Systems Serving 3,300 or Fewer Persons
Drinking Water Security for Small Systems Serving 3,300 or Fewer Persons is a booklet developed by U.S. EPA's Water Security Division that provides voluntary water security guidance for very small community drinking water systems. Their goal is to help systems understand the basics of water system security. View this brochure online or order a hard copy by calling 1-800-832-7828 or 1-800-490-9198, reference document # EPA 817-R-05-001. Included in the Booklet:
- Explanation of Vulnerability Assessments (VAs) & Emergency Response Plans (ERPs)
- User-friendly tools & templates
- Suggestions for practical security improvements
Potential Funding Opportunities
You may be able to obtain funding for new security measures by:
NIMS/ICS
National Incident Management System (NIMS) provides a consistent nationwide approach for state, local & non-governmental organizations to work effectively and efficiently together to prepare for, respond to & recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size or complexity.
Incident Command System (ICS) is the combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures and communications operating within a common organizational structure, designed to aid in the management of resources during incidents.
Find out more information on NIMS & ICS and implementation compliance goals for local jurisdictions at http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nims/.
Drinking Water Supply Emergency Plans
The Drinking Water Supply Emergency Plan:
- establishes a framework for Ohio EPA operations in emergency situations involving public water systems;
- is designed to meet Federal requirements for state emergency plans; and serves as a link between Ohio's Emergency Plan and public water system contingency plans.
The Drinking Water Supply Emergency Plan consists of two volumes. Volume I covers Ohio EPA’s role and actions in response to an emergency situation affecting one of Ohio’s public water systems. Volume II covers a community public water system’s requirements for developing a contingency plan, provides guidance on contingency plan development, and provides guidance regarding the actions a public water system should take in response to an emergency situation.
Drinking Water Supply Emergency Plan, Volume II: Public Water Systems
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Cover [Document is in PDF format unless indicated]
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Table of Contents
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Main Text
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INTRODUCTION
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CONTINGENCY PLANNING
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COMMUNITY WATER NEEDS DURING EMERGENCIES
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COMMUNICATION
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HOMELAND SECURITY AND PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS
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Attachment A
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Ohio Administrative Code Section 3745-85-01
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Attachment B
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Contingency Plan Template [PDF] - [Word]
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Attachment C
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Potential Emergency Situations
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Attachment D
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Suggested Responses to Threat Level Announcements for Public Water Systems
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Attachment E
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Drinking Water Emergency Loan Fund Fact Sheet
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Attachment F
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Large Water System Emergency Response Plan Outline: Guidance to Assist Community Water Systems in Complying with the Public Health Security and Bio-Terrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002
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